Sunday, 15. June 2008
A History of God

Theologian Karen Armstrong guides us along one of the most elusive and fascinating quests of all time - the search for God. This film is fine synopsis of Karen Armstrong's comprehensive book by the same title.

'A History of God' examines the concept of God in the three major monotheistic religions from the days of Abraham to modern times. Looking at the way that humans have perceived the idea of a supreme being throughout history and gathers interviews with representative's of several different religions to discuss the role that god plays in their lives.

The narration and commentary has been beauifully edited with a fine music score and excellent selected of visuals - paintings, photographs, and video of scenes in the Middle East - and the information gives a broad understanding of many of the world's religions. Recommended for those with open, questioning minds.


A History of God by History Channel, 2005
Runtime: 93 minutes

Category: Gods & Goddesses | Movies & TV | Religion & Early Cultures |




Friday, 23. May 2008
Lotus Sculpture

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In five of his eight hands he holds a noose, mace, drum, cobra and trident. The trident represents the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. It is also said to represent the threefold qualities of nature: creation, preservation and destruction. He holds a cobra symbolizing the power he has over the most deadly of creatures. Snakes are also used to symbolize the Hindu dogma of reincarnation. The drum represents the rhythmic sound to which Shiva dances and ceaselessly recreates the universe.

The front left hand is in the abhaya-mudra, the "fear not" gesture, made by holding the palm outward with fingers pointing up. The front right arm is across the chest in the gahahasta (elephant trunk) pose, with the wrist limp and the fingers pointed downward toward the demon Apasmara.


More about Hindu God Lord Shiva - The Destroyer

The “Lost Wax Method” is the only technique used by the artisans of Lotus Sculpture to create our Bronze statues. All of the artwork is one of a kind and is never reproduced on a large scale. Bronze casting in south India and Bangladesh is a skill passed on from generation to generation. Lotus Sculpture's artisans are the descendants of the famous Chola and Pala schools of bronze casting of 8th to 13th centuries. Lotus Sculpture assures you that our sculptures are the best quality coming out India and Bangladesh today.

To give you an idea of the amount of time and delicate work that goes into the production of each piece we would like to outline the creation process for you.

Picture: Radha With Krishna Playing Flute

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Since the 8th century with the rise of the Pala and Chola empire in South India and Bangladesh bronze statues have played a key role in shaping the mythology surrounding the Hindu religion and the Hindu gods. They have given the people a tangible deity to worship as well as bringing the stories surrounding the Hindu gods into their lives. Now you have the opportunity to experience the height of bronze sculpture by bringing bronze statues of Hindu gods and Buddha statues into your home or garden.

Looking for a special sculpture? Lotus Sculpture carries the largest selection of hand made Hindu and Buddhist sculpture available. From hand made, lost wax method bronze to hand carved wood, marble and granite sculpture.


This is more than a shop: with a lot of informations about the various gods and a blog of news and stories.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Products & Services |




Tuesday, 29. January 2008
Mythweb: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Greek Mythology

Mythweb is a website that covers the basics of Greek mythology. Its offhand narrative style and comical cartoon illustrations make it an entertaining refresher for myth-lovers of any age.

Writer Joel Skidmore and political cartoonist Mark Fiore teamed up to produce the most eye-catching portion of the site — the Heroes' stories. Here, you'll find short and snappy recaps of the stories of Hercules, Perseus, Odysseus and more, complete with colorful snapshot cartoons, some of which are animated. The site also features profiles on the major Greek gods as well as short takes on the familiar stories of King Midas, Atlas, Tantalus and others, explaining how they are still relevant today.

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If a hero is properly defined as somebody who does something dangerous to help somebody else, then the heroes of Greek mythology do not qualify. They were a pretty selfish bunch, often with additional antisocial tendencies thrown into the bargain--in other words, not exactly role models for the younger generation of today. But knowing their names and exploits is essential for understanding references in literature and even popular culture today. So let's recognize and celebrate Hercules and Perseus and the others by their proper dictionary definition: "In mythology and legend, a man or woman, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his or her bold exploits, and favored by the gods."

Illustrated Stories of the Heroes of Greek Mythology

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There you'll see an icon for the hero Jason, who was in line to become the king of Iolcus before his wicked uncle usurped the throne. As a child Jason was entrusted to the protection of a kindly centaur. This creature, half-man and half-horse, saw to it that Jason got an education suitable for the great quest that lay in store for him. This was nothing other than to journey to the furthest ends of the known world in search of a magical golden fleece guarded by a fire-breathing dragon.

The myth of Jason, the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece


Son of the supreme god Zeus himself, Hercules was the greatest of the heroes. To atone for a crime committed in a fit of madness, he was challenged to perform a series of heroic tasks, or Labors. Among them were retrieving the golden apples of the Hesperides from a dragon-guarded garden at the far end of the world, killing the many-headed monstrous Hydra, and bringing the hellhound Cerberus up from the underworld of the dead.

The myth of Hercules


As told by the blind minstrel Homer in his great epic The Odyssey, the tale of Odysseus is one of the highlights of Greek mythology. The Trojan War has finally come to an end after nine long years, and now the hero must make his way home to his faithful wife and son. But the homecoming will be long delayed as Odysseus faces perils like the enchantress Circe who turns his men into animals, giants who bombard his ships to smithereens, the angry god Poseidon who stirs up a hurricane, and the one-eyed Cyclops who wants Odysseus for his dinner.

Homer's Odyssey

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And then there's a complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology, a handy (and searchable) index of characters and terms. So if you don't have time for the full story and just need to know who exactly the Harpies were, or whatever happened to Orion, this is the place.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Mythology & Epics |


Monday, 28. January 2008
Kalighat Pictures: Indian Gods

Eye Candy! Digitized Kalighat paintings from 19th century Calcutta, created as inexpensive souvenirs for Hindu pilgrims visiting the famous temple of Kali.

Kalighat Pictures: Indian Gods - 26 illustrations, circa 1875, by the Oxford Digital Library. Click on 'Open Item'.

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Balarama, brother of Krishna
Category: Art & Visions | Gods & Goddesses |


Friday, 18. January 2008
Women in Greek Myths

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Chloris was a Nymph associated with spring, flowers and new growth. Her Roman equivalent was the goddess Flora. She was abducted by (and later married to) Zephyrus, the west wind, who gave her dominion over spring. Together they had a son, Carpus. Carpus means "fruit" in Ancient Greek, and the natural metaphor formed by the three can be seen in the following quote: "Zephyros... the personification of the West Wind which brings with it freshness and rain in the spring. He would unite with Chloris, goddess of the new vegetation, from which sprout the fresh fruits of the soil."

She was also known as Flora, and that's the title of the picture on the left by Evelyn de Morgan.

The following site contains:

• The Famous Ones
• Goddesses
• Nymphs
• Humans
• Amazons
• Monstresses
• Men
• The Myths Pages

Women in Greek Myths
by Ailia Athena.


This site was born out of my personal interest in Greek myths - particularly the lesser discussed myths about women - when I was 13 years old (back in 1996) and wasn't really meant to be a definitive source for anybody. My particular interest, the reason I thought it was worth having a separate site, was that, at the time, there was virtually nothing with pictures alongside the stories. Personally, I think the pictures add a lot; they both aid in visualizing and realizing the stories and people and tell us a good deal about what aspects of the stories are important to people today.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Mythology & Epics |


Sunday, 09. December 2007
The Greek Gods

This documentary presents an overview of the Greek Gods, studying the myths and legends that surround them, and the many visual interpretations of each God.

The movie explores the fascinating history of these enduring figures through period accounts, interviews with renowned historians and classicists, and stunning location footage, including glimpses into the gods' phenomenal temples. From their mythical home atop Mount Olympus, the Greek gods played an integral part in Ancient Greek life.

Learn why the ancient deities were endowed with human failings and discover the significance of the most famous Greek myths. View the magnificent artwork that preserved their images and learn how these epic figures have been integrated into modern life. From Aphrodite to Zeus, 'The Greek Gods' presents an unforgettable exploration of the mythic and monumental world of Greek deities.

The Greek Gods by History Channel, 2005.
With great graphics and excellent narratives.
Duration: 44 minutes.

Category: Gods & Goddesses | Movies & TV | Mythology & Epics |


Saturday, 22. September 2007
Stories of Krishna: The Adventures of a Hindu God

Who is Krishna? Why is he blue? And why do women find him so attractive?
Step into his world and join the adventures of a Hindu god.

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This lovely interactive web site allows you to explore a selection of the paintings featured in the exhibition 'Painted Visions from India and Pakistan, Past and Present' by the Seattle Art Museum (SAM).
Click an image and hear the accompanying tale (or read the transcript), then click "close the story" and mouse over the image icons to explore the characters and view details. After you are finished you can test what you've learned with a drag and drop card game.

Stories of Krishna: The Adventures of a Hindu God

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See also:
Paintings displaying the sweet pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Vraja
by Vrindavan Das.
Category: Art & Visions | Gods & Goddesses |


Wednesday, 19. September 2007
India’s Ganesha Festival

Amid chanting "Ganpati bappa morya" (A prayer: "in praise of the lord") and bursting of fireworks, several large idols of Ganesha were seen standing tall among fleet of vehicles and slowly inching its way in the snarling traffic of Mumbai from last two days. These Ganesha Idols will be nested in the decorative Mandals (bamboo erected stage) and at homes and will remain there up to 10 days of the festival.

The Ganesh chaturti festival begins on Sept. 15 and will last till the 24th of this month. During the festival, everyday the Lord Ganesha will be worshipped amid chanting of prayers, singing of bhajans (hymns) and ringing of bells. Flowers will be offered, camphor and scented sticks will be lit in front of the lord Ganesha.

A Photo Essay by OhmyNews: India's Ganesha Festival

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One of the most popular Gods in India, lord Ganesh or Ganpati is considered a symbol of wisdom and a bringer of good luck. It is said that his elephant head epitomises everything related to wisdom-small shrewd eyes, long ears that miss nothing, a long nose that can smell out anything fight and his vehicle, a mouse, reflects how much importance a wise man gives to the smallest of life forms. Shown at gateways and on doors, either by visuals or symbols, generally facing the rising sun in the east, Ganesh is revered across India as a great clearer of obstacles. Meetings, gatherings, weddings, functions and celebrations begin with a prayer of lord Ganesh and no new venture-be it a new company, a new house, a new shop is inaugurated without reciting a 'mantra' of lord Ganesh.

1st Ganesh festival - While working on the souvenir to mark the centenary celebrations of our Ganesh festival, we felt the need to collect more information about the festival.


India is a land of festivals and fairs. Every day of the year there is a festival celebrated in some part of the country. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the new year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.

Festivals of India
Don't miss Ganesh in Indian Art.

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Category: Gods & Goddesses | Time & Calendar |


Monday, 17. September 2007
Chinese Paper Gods

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Bedroom Door: Qilin song zi - 麒麟　送　子


The images in this collection were assembled by Anne S. Goodrich (1895–2005) in 1931, when as a Christian missionary in Peking she became interested in local folk religious practices. She studied the paper gods in this collection for much of her life. After publishing her research conclusions in 1991, she donated these prints to the C. V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University.

The images are divided initially by usage: Those which were purchased to be burned immediately and serve as emissaries to heaven; and those which were purchased to be displayed for a year while offering protection to the family in a variety of ways, before being burned. The images are further divided by display locations and by the deities they represent.

Chinese Paper Gods by Columbia University Libraries.
An online visual catalog of over 200 woodcuts used in folk religious practices in Beijing and other parts of China in the 1930s.

See also:
The Nianhua Gallery by James Flath at the University of Western Ontario.


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Domestic Shrine: Ding fu gong - 定福宮
Category: Gods & Goddesses |


Sunday, 26. August 2007
The Story of God

'The Story of God' is an epic journey across continents, cultures and eras exploring religious beliefs from their earliest incarnations, through the development of today's major world faiths and the status of religious faith in a scientific age, featuring physician, Professor and British Lord Robert Winston.

He analyses the history of various gods by travelling the world talking with people ranging from hindus, muslims and christians to buddhists and athiests. Richard Dawkins makes an appearance later in the series.

'The Story of God' first aired on BBC One, December 2005. Like many BBC documentaries, 'The Story of God' aired in 2007 in other countries, including the USA.


Enjoy this fascinating world tour!

Episode one focuses on the origins of ancient animistic beliefs and
the eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.

Episode 1: Life, the Universe and Everything - 58 minutes.




Episode two looks at the three great monotheistic religions:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Episode 2: No God but God - 59 minutes




Episode three considers how the idea of God has been challenged by
modern ideas – especially by scientific theories and discoveries.
Robert Winston also puts his own belief in God to the test with a mathematical formula that has been adapted to calculate the probability of God's existence.

Episode 3: God of the Gaps - 58 minutes




You may also like:

When science meets God by BBC.
Robert Winston presents The Story of God by BBC.
Why do we believe in God? by The Guardian.
Review of The Story of God by Culture Watch.

Official Web Site of Professor Robert Winston
Robert Winston - Information from Answers.com.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Movies & TV | Religion & Early Cultures |


Thursday, 23. August 2007
Senju Kannon

Eye Candy: This is the show 2007 of the "Senju Kannon":




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KANNON BOSATSU, KANNON BODHISATTVA,
LORD OF COMPASSION, GODDESS OF MERCY
Represented as both Male and Female
Assists People in Distress in the Earthly Realm
Sanskrit = Avalokitesvara, Avalokiteshvara, Lokeshvara
Japanese = Kannon, Kanjizai, Kanzeon, Kwannon
Chinese = Kuan Yin, Guanyin, Guanshiyin
Tibetan = Spyan-ras-gzigs

All about Kannon
Incl. 33 Forms of Kannon, Legends About Kannon and much more!


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Senju Kannon　千手観音:
Sahasrabhuja-arya-avalokites 'vara. "Thousand-armed Kannon" or *Kannon 観音 with a thousand arms. Also called Senbi kannon 千臂観音 or Daihi Kannon 大悲観音. This form of Kannon theoretically has 1000 hands and 1000 eyes. Thus a longer version of the name is Senju-sengen Kanjizai Bosatsu 千手千眼観自在菩薩 or, more commonly, Senju-sengen Kannon 千手千眼観音. The form emphasizes the compassion that sees suffering (with 1000 eyes) and acts to relieve it (with 1000 hands). It is assumed that this form originated in India in the 7c, but no examples remain. Examples do remain from around the 10c in China, and Senju was one of the early forms of Kannon revered in Japan.

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Related Entry: Thousand Hand Bodhisattva
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Religion & Early Cultures |


Friday, 06. April 2007
Gods, Mythology and Religion of Ancient Egypt

Man's first gods were the forces of nature. Terrifying and unpredictable, they were feared rather than revered by our ancestors. Yet while much of the world was in darkness, worshipping cruel incarnations of natural forces, a river valley in Africa held a people who followed a different path. They worshipped gods that were beautiful to behold, luminous beings that walked the earth, guiding the human race to Paradise. They had human forms but were much more powerful; yet like humans, they got angry, despaired, fought with one another, had children, and fell in love. They lived lives that were very much like those of the people who worshipped them, the ancient Egyptians.

They were gods to be feared yes, as all gods are, but they were also gods to be loved. What's more, the Egyptians enjoyed talking about the gods. Like the gods of the Greeks and Romans, the Egyptian gods seemed to be made for storytelling. There were tales to educate, tales to entertain, and tales with morals, and in those stories, the gods didn't seem so far away and unreachable. It was comforting to hear that the gods also wept for those they had lost, to hear about the gods laughing, to learn that the gods faced many of the same problems that the people did, albeit on a grander scale. In learning about the gods on such an intimate level, the Egyptians could better relate to the universe around them.

Gods and Mythology of Ancient Egypt
Information of each god, including Mother Sekhmet. Very informative site.

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See also The Ancient Egyptian Religion.
Scroll down the site to examine all of the materials available there.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Mythology & Epics | Religion & Early Cultures |


Tuesday, 06. March 2007
The Ancient Greek Goddesses & Gods

Today I stumbled over a nice videos about the ancient Greek Goddesses & Gods.

In the Olympian pantheon of classical Greek Mythology, Hera was the wife and older sister of Zeus. She also presided as goddess of marriage, the patriarchal bond of her own subordination: her resistance to the conquests of Zeus is rendered as Hera's "jealousy", the main theme of literary anecdotes that undercut her ancient cult. Her equivalent in Roman mythology was Juno. The cow and peacock are sacred to her.

Athena was the goddess of civilization, specifically wisdom, weaving, crafts and the more disciplined side of war (violence and bloodlust were Ares' domain). Athena's wisdom encompasses the technical knowledge employed in weaving, metal-working, but also includes the cunning intelligence (metis) of such figures as Odysseus. The owl and the olive tree are sacred to her.

Artemis in Greek mythology the daughter of Zeus and of Leto and the twin sister of Apollo was one of the most widely venerated of the gods and manifestly one of the oldest deities (Burkert 1985:149). In later times she was combined with the Roman goddess Diana.

Demeter is the Pelasgian goddess of grain and agriculture, the pure nourisher of youth and the green earth, the health-giving cycle of life and death, and preserver of marriage and the sacred law. She is invoked as the "bringer of seasons" in the Homeric hymn, a subtle sign that she was worshiped long before the Olympians arrived. The Roman equivalent is Ceres.

Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, lust, beauty, and sexuality. Her Roman equivalent is the goddess Venus. Myrtle, dove, sparrow, and swan are sacred to her.

See this 5 minute video for more about these ancient Greek Goddesses & Gods:



More Greek Goddesses @ Wiki
More Greek Gods @ Wiki



Zeus is the king of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His symbols are the thunderbolt, bull, eagle and the oak. His Roman counterpart was Jupiter.

Hades refers to the ancient Greek underworld and the god of the dead. Hades was also known as Pluto (from Greek Ploutōn), and was known by this name, as "the unseen one", or "the rich one", in Roman mythology.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Apollo, the ideal of the kouros (a beardless youth), was the archer-god of medicine and healing, light, truth, archery and also a bringer of death-dealing plague; as the leader of the Muses and director of their choir, he is a god of music and poetry. Hymns sung to Apollo were called Paeans. The American missions to the moon, Project Apollo, were named for the god.

Hephaestus is the Greek god whose approximate Roman equivalent is Vulcan; he is the god of technology including, specifically blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals and metallurgy, and fire.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Dionysus associated with the god of wine, represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. He is viewed as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace - as well as the patron deity of agriculture and the theater.

Hermes is the Olympian god of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of orators and wit, of literature and poets, of athletics, of weights and measures and invention and commerce in general, and of the cunning of thieves and liars. In the Roman adaptation of the Greek religion, Hermes was identified with the Roman god Mercury.
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Mythology & Epics |


Wednesday, 28. February 2007
Goddess Inspiration

This four card past-present-future spread is a good to use for simple questions. It’s also great for when you’re short of time but need an overview of a situation. Enter your name and your question and get a free reading: Goddess Tarot Oracle.

Try also
The Goddess Inspiration Oracle.
Take a moment to center yourself and take the inspiration of the divine feminine.

Maybe you want to know
Which Goddess Are You
Take the quiz.

And finally have a look inside The Book Of Goddess.

All are written, illustrated and designed by Kris Waldherr.

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Available at Amazon:
Goddess Tarot Deck and the Workbook - also The Book of Goddesses
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Tarot & Oracles |


Monday, 26. February 2007
Ancient Egyptian Religion

For example: The Egyptian Aset - The Roman Isis

There might not be another female deity who has acquired so many different names and epiteths and who has appeared in so many varied aspects as Aset. Her worship endured from at least the 5th Dynasty into Roman and Christian times, a span of more than 2500 years. This is no mean feat. During such a long period there were of course shifts and changes in her appearance and popularity. Below is an effort of mapping a few of those which are the most frequently used, without laying any claims to be complete.

Let it be said at once that her names, aspect, functions and depictions do not lend themselves easily to any kind of structuring; as with all Egyptian deities they float and merge, borrow traits from each other, and shape-shift between various localities.

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While this can be irritating to a mind set on analyzing, it might also point us toward a deeper sense of the inherent divinity of existence, which seems to have been the distinguishing trait of the ancient Egyptian outlook on life.

In the Book of Going Forth By Day, Spell no: 142:4, following can be read, which gives us an idea of the many epitets that Aset was given:

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"... Aset the great, Mother of the God; Aset the Divine, Aset the daughter of Nut; Aset the Great of Magic; Aset the possessor of magical protection, Aset the possessor of rolls; Aset who protected her Father, Aset the Ruler of rolls; Aset in Asyut, Aset as ruler of (the city of) 'Shesmin', Aset in Bahbit (Iseum); Aset in Pe, Aset in Dep, Aset in Coptos, Aset 'in charge of' Pe, Aset in Akhmim, Aset in Abydos, Aset in King´s House; Aset in the Sky, Aset in the earth, Aset in the southern (and northern) chapel (of Sais), Aset in the northern chapel (of Sais); Aset in all her Manifestations, Aset in all her characters, Aset in all her Aspects, Aset in (every) place where her Spirit desires to be; ..."


( From T.G. Allen´s translations of the Book of Going Forth By Day)

This is a site about Ancient Egypt; Religion, Deites, Temple life, Priesthood, Rituals and Philosophy: Ancient Egyptian Religion by K.M.Jonsson
Category: Gods & Goddesses | Religion & Early Cultures |


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